Pacific / Cook Islands

Cooks battle with schooner operator continues

07:31 am on 5 September 2015

The Cook Islands government says it will not take action over a controversial deal with a shipping operator until a full investigation into the matter is done.

A complaint has been laid against Pacific Schooners with the Public Expenditure Review Committee, the country's financial watchdog, by the Financial Secretary Richard Neves.

The complaint says Pacific Schooners failed to meet its contract of repatriating some of the outer islands teams after Te Maeva Nui celebrations.

A complaint has also been laid with the Audit Office by Opposition MP James Beer who is also requesting an investigation.

The Prime Minister Henry Puna, the Finance Minister Mark Brown, and Mr Neves have repeatedly refused to disclose how much money was advanced to Pacific Schooners.

Mr Brown has said he is confident the government will get its money back.

Henry Puna says the government has nothing to hide, but is guided by law as to what it can disclose.

Cook Islands Photo: RNZI / Megan Whelan